Clearance of the slip blocking both lanes of State Highway 2 at Waiotahe beach began this afternoon.
SH2 remains closed between Waiotahi Valley Back Road and Paerata Ridge Road due to the slip which fell overnight Sunday night.
Pōhutukawa trees above the slip face have been removed by arborists today with the assistance of a digger pulling the trees back onto farmland.
Unfortunately the trees were at high risk of falling onto the road and couldn’t be left in place. Now that that risk has been remedied, NZTA contractors have begun removal of slip material from the base.
Fine weather is forecast until the weekend which should aid in progress, but it’s expected SH2 will need to remain closed here until Friday afternoon 23 August. The team are working hard and will open sooner if possible.
NZTA will update the community and road users as soon as we have more information.
Road users should allow extra time for the detour which is:
East bound traffic: Right onto Waiotahi Valley Back Road, Verrall Road, Left Paerata Ridge Road before rejoining SH2. West bound traffic in reverse.
Detour is not suitable for heavy vehicles.
